Influencing factors of households disadvantaged in post-earthquake life recovery: a case study of the Wenchuan earthquake in China

Post-disaster recovery plans and policies can be better made after understanding which households are in the greatest need of help and support in post-disaster life recovery. In this study, we analyzed influencing factors of households with a disadvantaged status of life recovery, which could then be used as indicators for detecting households in urgent need of help at the beginning of post-disaster recovery. Based on life recovery field survey data from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, we found 81 disadvantaged households, identified by the fact that they lagged behind in the post-earthquake life recovery process. Using logit regression, we analyzed the influencing factors of disadvantaged households that may distinguish them from more prosperous ones. The results showed that the lower economic status, longer duration of unemployment, loss of loved ones and the less education are the significant influencing factors of disadvantaged households. Therefore, the poor and unemployed households who are less educated and suffered the trauma of losing loved ones should be made a priority in post-disaster recovery planning and policy making in consideration of their disadvantaged status in life recovery.